SCP and SFTP for Windows

Introduction

WinSCP is a freeware program that allows Windows users to securely transfer files from one computer to another through either SCP (Secure Copy) or SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol). Like its command-line relative SSH, WinSCP encrypts all communication between your Windows computer and the remote computer, including your name and password.

You can download WinSCP from its creator's website.

This page describes how to install and configure the client once it has been downloaded.

Installing WinSCP

WinSCP downloads as a self-extracting executable file, meaning that when you double-click the file you've downloaded, it begins its own installation program.

For most users, accepting the default settings pre-selected in the installation program will work well, and you can change any of the settings later under the configuration options if you wish.

WinSCP offers a choice of two interfaces:

• Two-paned "Norton Commander"
  This interface resembles F-Secure's two-paned SFTP interface, if you have used the old site-licensed SFTP program. One pane shows the contents of your computer and the other shows the contents of the other computer. You can drag and drop between them at will.
  
• Single-paned "Explorer"
  This interface resembles the type that opens when you double-click on "My Computer." The difference is that the contents of the window show the other computer's hard drive rather than your own. You can drag and drop from a "My Computer" window to the WinSCP window and vice versa.

Configuring WinSCP

When you launch the WinSCP application, the first window that appears asks you for information about the connection you want to make. If you connect to certain computers frequently, you can save this information and recall it later with a couple of clicks.

The information that's most important to complete includes:

• Host name: The name of the computer you're connecting to.
  (In the example, remsun.ews.uiuc.edu is used.)
• Port number: 22.
  (This is the standard port for secure file transfer.)
• User name: Your user name
• Leave the password field blank. It's much more secure to enter the password manually each time you connect.
• Protocol: SFTP (allow SCP fallback).

Once you've completed this information, click the Save button and provide a name for these settings. (In the example, "EWS" is the name given to these settings.) You can save settings for as many computers as you wish.

Next, to log in, click on the Stored Sessions item in the left panel and select the profile you want to use from the entries you've made. (If you've only made one, select it.) Then click the Login button at the bottom of the screen.

If it's your first time connecting to a location, you will be prompted to choose whether or not to save the server's host key. In order to continue connecting, choose Yes.

Next, you'll be prompted for your password (unless you saved it in your profile).

Once you've entered your password and successfully connected, a new window will appear in either the Norton configuration or the Explorer configuration. (You can change your selection in the Preferences section of the login window, as shown here.) With either interface, you can now securely drag and drop files from your computer to the remote computer.

When you're finished with your WinSCP session, open the Session menu and select the Disconnect option. The login window will reappear on top of the disconnected file transfer window, with some slight differences in the options available. Click the x button in the upper right corner of the login window and both windows will close.